Davido Fires Back at Okpebholo With WAEC Post After Adeleke Jibe Ahead of Osun Poll

LAGOS, Nigeria

With barely one week until Osun voters head to the polls, political campaigns are no longer being fought only from podiums. They are increasingly playing out on social media, where celebrities, politicians and supporters are amplifying campaign narratives in real time.

That reality came into sharp focus on Friday, August 7, 2026, when Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, appeared to respond to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo by posting what was presented as the governor’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result on his Instagram Stories.

Although Davido attached no caption to the post, it was widely interpreted as a direct response to comments Okpebholo made less than 24 hours earlier about Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Okpebholo’s Remarks Spark Fresh Political Exchange

ValidViewNetwork reports that Governor Monday Okpebholo made the remarks on Thursday, August 6, 2026, while campaigning for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, ahead of the Friday, August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State.

Addressing APC supporters at the rally alongside Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Okpebholo mocked Governor Adeleke’s well-known love for dancing and questioned whether it reflected effective leadership.

“Before somebody signs paper, he will dance. Are you not tired? For four years, this man has been dancing. Before he takes breakfast, before he drinks tea, he will dance,” Okpebholo said.

The Edo governor also urged voters to collect money from political opponents but ultimately vote for the APC candidate on election day.His comments quickly generated widespread reactions online, with supporters and critics debating whether the remarks constituted legitimate political criticism or unnecessary personal ridicule.

Davido’s Response Revives Old Political Battle

ValidViewNetwork reports that Davido’s Instagram post on Friday, August 7, 2026, revived an issue that has repeatedly surfaced throughout Governor Ademola Adeleke’s political career; his educational qualifications.

For years, political opponents have mocked and questioned Adeleke’s academic records. During the build-up to the 2018 Osun governorship election, his eligibility became the subject of legal and political disputes after allegations surrounding his secondary school certificate emerged.

The issue resurfaced again before the July 16, 2022 governorship election, with opponents once more attempting to cast doubt on his qualifications.

Despite those challenges, Nigerian courts cleared Adeleke to contest, and he defeated then-incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the 2022 governorship election.

Against that background, many political observers viewed Davido’s decision to share what appeared to be Governor Okpebholo’s WAEC result as a symbolic reminder of the scrutiny his uncle has faced over the years regarding educational credentials.

Davido’s Political Role Is Nothing New

Davido’s involvement in Osun politics did not begin with the current campaign.During the 2022 governorship election, the award-winning musician became one of Governor Adeleke’s most visible campaigners, attending rallies across Osun State, mobilising young voters through his social media platforms and openly advocating for his uncle’s victory.

Following Adeleke’s inauguration on Sunday, November 27, 2022, Davido has remained an outspoken supporter of the governor’s administration. As preparations intensified for the August 15, 2026 governorship election, the singer again returned to the campaign trail, participating in rallies and repeatedly calling for a peaceful, free and credible election.

Only days before Friday’s exchange, Davido appealed to security agencies, political actors and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that Osun people were allowed to vote without intimidation.

Campaign Rhetoric Intensifies Ahead of August 15 Poll

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The latest exchange reflects the increasingly heated atmosphere surrounding one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle governorship elections.

Both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress have intensified campaigns across the state, while political messaging has expanded beyond traditional rallies to social media platforms where influential figures command millions of followers.

As election day approaches, observers say the focus will ultimately shift from campaign rhetoric to issues of governance, electoral credibility and the decision voters make at the ballot box.

With Friday, August 15, 2026, drawing closer, the battle for Osun Government House is becoming increasingly fierce.

While campaign speeches continue to dominate physical rallies and social media exchanges capture national attention, the election will ultimately be decided not by viral posts or political taunts but by the votes cast by Osun people.

The latest exchange between Davido and Governor Okpebholo underscores how politics, celebrity influence and digital communication have become deeply intertwined in Nigeria’s modern electoral landscape.